'The 5 money-saving habits my parents taught me (that actually work).'

Thanks to our brand partner, Zurich Insurance

People can be funny about money. 

And while the jury's still out on whether it can buy happiness, it's hard to deny that what money can buy you is choice.

Like many people, there have been different points in my life where money has been more scarce or abundant.

In times of scarcity, I always felt stuck, powerless and out of control. Whereas, whenever it was more consistent, I felt like I had options and agency over my own life again. 

But no matter where I was in the boom and bust cycle of freelance life at the time, these five money-saving habits I learnt from my parents always kept me on the straight and narrow.

Get yourself insured.

Growing up, my parents always emphasised the importance of saving for the future and protecting yourself and your assets for when life doesn't go to plan.

I saw the impact of this first-hand when a category five cyclone tore through our town when I was a teen, damaging our family home. While it was scary to live through, we were safe and my parents' insurance policies ensured the damages could be fixed.

But insurance cover goes beyond your physical assets.

Personal insurance is important for protecting both yourself and your lifestyle, ensuring you're covered if you ever become sick or injured and are unable to work.

That's where Zurich Insurance comes in — they offer policies that provide peace of mind and ensure financial security when the unexpected happens.

Things like life insurance and income protection are definitely worth considering and regularly updating, especially during big life changes like buying a home, getting a promotion or having kids.

Sort your super.

My parents and many of their friends are at retirement age, and I've watched each of them spend the last couple of years figuring out when exactly to pull the pin on work.

Some had clearer plans than others, allowing them to make the decision to stop working sooner. Others wanted to keep working because they enjoyed it.

But a key factor in each of their decisions has been their superannuation situation, particularly for the women.

Because of this and the scary superannuation gap between men and women who have taken time off to raise children, I've spent the past seven years making voluntary contributions. This includes salary sacrifice contributions (before tax) and personal contributions (after tax) into my superannuation fund, on top of the employer's superannuation guarantee contributions, to help grow my nest egg.

This hack has saved me money on tax (up to a limit) and I've reaped the rewards of the compounding effect, even as super investments move up and down over time. I love using this tool to see what a little extra money put away now can do for me over time. 

The other important thing to understand is what kind of life and temporary and permanent disability (TPD) insurance you may have within your super and whether it aligns with your needs.

Everyone's situation is different, so take a peek at what your super fund may cover you for so you're not left in the lurch. It's a great opportunity to increase or add to your insurance cover if necessary.

Secondhand doesn't mean second best.

Much of my childhood was spent trawling through op shops with my mum, an activity which, at the time, I didn't love. But as I grew into a teen, I began to see them for what they really are: treasure troves.

These days, 80 per cent of my wardrobe is secondhand.

From op shops to clothes swaps and market finds, my mostly thrifted clothing has saved me so much money over the years and I've also nabbed unique pieces that I wouldn't have found on the high street.

Same goes for furniture. Facebook Marketplace is overflowing with secondhand goods and my apartment is filled with it. And as for my car, you can bet your bottom dollar I bought it secondhand.

Make takeaway at home.

I grew up in a very small town in a regional area, so the concept of eating out and getting takeaway was rare — aside from the occasional fish and chips from the local corner shop. 

Now I have a lot more options living in a city but I try to reserve buying food out for social occasions, which has saved me a lot of money.

To combat having "nothing to eat" on those lazy, rainy nights, I make sure I have a few easy (but yum) meals on hand, just like my parents did when I was growing up. Pesto pasta and frozen dumplings are always on standby, helping me skip the delivery fees.

Consistency is key.

I know it's not sexy, but saving money really does come down to your long-term habits. Just like your health and fitness, career and relationships, if you want them to thrive, nurturing them consistently over time is crucial.

And yes, there will be times when things blow out or you fall off the bandwagon, but having a baseline (and budget) to come back to will help you get back on track. 

Learn more about Zurich's life insurance and income protection online.

Annual caps apply to the amount you can voluntarily contribute to your super. Salary sacrifice (before tax/concessional contributions) cap currently is $30,000. Personal contributions (after tax/non-concessional contributions) cap is $120,000 or $360,000 if using the bring forward rule.

Consider if Zurich is right for you and read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement, Target Market Determination and the Zurich Financial Services Guide available at zurich.com.au before making any decisions. This information does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider these factors and the appropriateness of the information to you. Consider seeking advice specific to your individual circumstances from an appropriate professional. Zurich refers to Zurich Australia Limited ABN 92 000 010 195, AFSL 232510.

Feature Image: Supplied.

How to buy insurance from Zurich: There are two ways you can buy Zurich life insurance.

Through a financial adviser: A financial adviser can help you understand your current financial situation, as well as your goals for the future, so you get the right cover for your needs. They can structure your cover in a way that gives you the best value for money and suits your cash flow and tax objectives.

Directly from us: If you know the type and amount of cover you need, Zurich Ezicover is a range of simple life insurance products. It's easy to apply online. Get an online quote here - direct.zurich.com.au/